![Gay Penguin Death / Sphen Penguin Death An image of Sphen and Magic, the gay penguins.](https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/mobile/000/051/059/gay_penguin_death_cover_.jpg)
Gay Penguin Death / Sphen Penguin Death
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Overview
Gay Penguin Death, also known as Sphen Penguin Death, refers to the death of Sphen, one-half of the world-famous gay gentoo penguin couple from the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium in Australia. The gay penguin's death became a viral topic on the internet in mid-August 2024, sparking memes, tributes, media coverage and fans mourning the passing of the animal.
Background
On August 21st, 2024, the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium official Instagram[1] account shared a video (seen below) about the death of the penguin Vale Sphen, captioning "one-half of the world’s most famous and loved gentoo penguin couples, has sadly passed away." The post also mentions that Sphen and Magic same-sex relationship inspired "millions around the world with their story of love, equality, and devotion." The video received over 37,000 views in a day.
Online Reactions
Sphen's death quickly became a viral topic on the internet as it was widely covered in numerous publications around the world, sparking memes and reactions from people mourning the animal.
For example, on August 22nd, 2024, TikTok[2] user @les__beans posted a video of her girlfriend reacting to the news (seen below), which amassed more than 4,800 plays and 200 likes in a few hours.
@les__beans
Also on August 22nd, 2024, TikTok[3] user @raydudeedits uploaded a video showing the penguins Sphen and Magic with the overlay text, "Stop I'm literally crying like wdym he died his bf started singing after he died and everyone joined in wdym." The post (seen below) amassed 1,400 likes in a few hours.
@raydudeedits ♬ forwards beckon rebound – Adrianne Lenker
Various Examples
@sydneymorningherald Magic and Sphen made international headlines as their relationship bloomed, inspiring their own Mardi Gras float #sphenandmagic #penguins #sydney ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic
@tiktok2024a11 Sphen, the elder partner in a world famous same-sex penguin couple celebrated in Australian schoolbooks and an annual gay rights parade, has died at 11 years old, a Sydney aquarium said on Thursday. #sphen #penguin #australia #sidney #gay #samesex #dead #australian #couple #schoolbook #famous #animal #world #fy #viraltok ♬ son original – Tiktok Time
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Top Comments
Pokejoseph64
Aug 22, 2024 at 08:46PM EDT
PoliticalCoomer
Aug 22, 2024 at 07:05PM EDT